Already having stated his desires for U.S. military and commercial ships to get free passage through the Panama Canal, President Donald Trump has expanded his wish list.

Lyda Feoli/iStock via Getty Images President Donald Trump has said U.S. ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal free of charge.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panama officials would sign a "framework" agreement allowing U.S. warships to travel "first and free" through the Panama Canal.

U.S. warships will travel through the Panama Canal "first and free," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday as he visited the nation to push back on Chinese influence.

Panama's leader accused President Trump of lying in his Tuesday congressional address, where he said his administration was "reclaiming" the Panama Canal.

Cranes load and unload containers from cargo ships at the Cristobal port, operated by the Panama Ports Company, in Colon, Panama, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) PANAMA CITY (AP) — ...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said it was "absurd" that U.S. government ships are charged to use the Panama Canal after Panama denied a claim that it had agreed to allow them free ...

Panama has rejected the U.S. State Department's assertion that U.S. ships can pass through the Panama Canal without charge. The claim, which came from U.S. officials, was firmly disputed by Panamas ...

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has denied the U.S. State Department’s claim that his country had reached a deal allowing U.S. warships to transit the Panama Canal for free.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino has rejected the U.S. State Department’s claim that his country had reached a deal allowing U.S. warships to transit the Panama Canal for free.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday denied the U.S. State Department’s claim that his country had reached a deal allowing U.S. warships to transit the Panama ...